Güímar Closes Two Beaches Following Microbiological Contamination Alert
Güímar City Council has temporarily closed El Cabezo and the local Dog Beach to swimmers after water samples revealed bacterial contamination levels double the regional safety limit.
Güímar City Council has temporarily closed El Cabezo Beach and the local Dog Beach to swimmers due to a recent spike in microbiological contamination. The Canary Islands Health Service issued the alert after water samples taken on September 9 near the Paseo de las Palmeras showed high levels of bacteria.
Tests revealed 410 colony-forming units (CFU) of intestinal enterococci per 100 milliliters of water. This is double the safety limit of 200 CFU/100 ml set by regional health regulations.
While the area is typically rated as having "excellent" water quality, authorities have suspended swimming as a precaution while they investigate the cause of the contamination. The beaches will remain closed until further testing confirms that the water is safe and meets health standards. The City Council will reopen the areas once the Canary Islands Health Service verifies that the bacteria levels have returned to normal.